STUDENT BUS SERVICE FOR 2009-10 SCHOOL YEAR
Dear Parents:

We want your child's entire school day, including the morning and afternoon bus rides, to be as enjoyable as possible. To help with that, we have included a few basic guidelines as well as the most frequently asked questions and answers about our school bus service. We are looking forward to helping make the 2009-10 school year safe for your children.

Sincerely,

Shane Swartz

Supervisor, Transportation

Student Safety

School bus drivers shall maintain bus discipline in order to promote safety pursuant to all state and local rules and regulations. Pupils have a right to due process as provided by Board Policy. Failure to abide by the following rules may result in disciplinary action including the suspension of transportation services.

1. Arrive at the bus stop ten minutes early; wait a safe distance from traffic and at least 10 feet from bus.
2. While waiting, respect other individuals, their possessions and surrounding property
3. If you must cross the street to board your bus, obey the driver?s hand signal and walk at least 10 feet in front of bus. If several students disembark together, those who cross the street to go home should exit first. All students should move directly to their residence side of the street once they exit the bus.
4. Enter bus calmly, sit in assigned seat, face forward, and keep aisles clear. In some cases, youngsters will be assigned three to a seat.
5. Observe Edgewood's Student Code of Conduct, and obey driver promptly and respectfully.
6. Be silent at all railroad crossings.
7. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum on the bus.
8. Carry only those objects ? including musical instruments ? on the bus which can be properly secured and held on a lap. Headphones, boomboxes, balls, toys, etc.must be kept in bookbags. All pets stay home! Drivers may confiscate anything carried on the bus.
9. Do not throw, pass, or hang objects on, from, or into the bus. Keep entire body within bus.

Misbehavior on the Bus
If misbehavior occurs, discipline procedures will generally be based on the following guidelines:

1. A student will be referre d to the office with a write-up from the bus driver stating the misbehavior. Parents will be contacted explaining that an official warning has been given and that misbehavior could result in removal from the bus.
2. If the student is written up by the bus driver for a second time, the student will meet with the principal or assistant principal. Parents may be asked to attend this meeting.
3. If a student is referred a third time, severe disciplinary action may be taken, including suspension from riding the bus for a period of time. Parents are responsible for transporting children to and from school when their bus privileges are suspended.
4. Dangerous acts on the bus may result in immediate suspension from the bus.

Permission to Change Buses or Stops
All students who are eligible for transportation services must ride the bus that is assigned to their route. Parents may request, in writing, a different pick-up or stop on their route other than their home stop. The request must be for a pick-up or stop on their existing route.

BUS SERVICE FAQS

Q. Does my child's babysitter or day-care have to be in the same school attendance area as our house?

A. If we are to provide bus transportation to or from school, then yes, the babysitter's home or day-care center does have to be in the same elementary school area for grades 1 and up. We simply don't have enough buses and drivers to take students being picked up in one school area to different schools in the other areas. For PreK and Kindergarten if the school is able your child will be placed in the requested session. If that request changes at a later date, then the parents will be responsible for transportation.

Q. What if circumstances arise that I may need to change sitters?

A. If you cannot find one in the same attendance area then you will need to provide transportation

Q. Can I have different pick-up and drop-off arrangements on different days of the week?

A. We know there are many situations where it would help if we could do this. But our experience is that it gets so complicated keeping track of the children that their safety could be compromised. For that reason, we ask that the pick-up and drop-off arrangements be the same Monday through Friday.

Q. What if I have moved or would like to make changes to my child's transportation?

A. You must then go to your child's school in order to make changes to your child's transportation. This again is for the safety of your child.

Q. Suppose one day my child is planning to take the bus home but then something comes up and I need to pick her up after school. How can I let her know?

A. If you call the school, we will tell your child not to take the bus but instead to wait for you to arrive in the office area. You can then pick up your child at dismissal time. You may be asked for photo identification, in order to ensure your child's safety.

Q. How can I find out my child's bus stop and when the bus will come?

A. The route information is available on the district website or at your child's school.

Q. Who do I call if I have other questions?

A. Please feel free to call our Transportation Department at 863-5288

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